The 2011 Cleveland Indians

[VDub26Falcon]

I can't believe no one has brought up the biggest surprise of the young Major League Baseball season. With the Indians win last night, they are guaranteed to be above .500 at the end of the month of April. Not only that, but they are currently in first place in the Central Division, with a 2.5 game lead on the Tigers and Royals with a chance to extend that tonight, over the Royals at least. The Indians are tied for the league lead in Run Differential currently at a +30. Other than the Royals (Currently +2), no one else in the Central is on the positive side of the Run Differential (Detroit -2, Minnesota -24, Chicago -13).

It's amazing what a combination of good starting pitching, good bullpen work and good hitting will do for a team. Some guys are under acheiving right now (Choo, Santana) but others are performing well above expectations (Hannahan, Hafner). Add it all up and it's a team that is 6 games over .500, in first place and showing no signs of slowing up anytime soon. Grady Sizemore has been freaking ridiculous since coming off the DL. On balls in play, he has 9 hits and 9 outs. He needs to quit striking out though, and then get moved to 3rd in the order. Move Brantley back to #1, Asdrubal #2, Sizemore #3 and then go from there...maybe Santana should move down a bit until he gets his swing figured out.

Your thoughts on the Tribe so far???

[Lord_Byron]

I'm just enjoying it while it lasts. No expectations means no disappointment.

[footballguy51]

I was being superstitious and was actually afraid to post anything like this, for fear that they would then tank the next 20 straight games, similar to how people thought the Cavs weren't so bad this year without Lebron, until they went on to lose a record setting number of games in a row.

[BGDrew]

I don't know if they're necessarily a top three team in the league but definitely quite the surprise.

I'm just happy to see Hafner taking stero......swinging the bat well again.

[Falconfreak90]

Been a fun team to watch so far! Indians beat KC again tonight, 7-2. Tribe is playing solid ball and getting good pitching. Just hope it continues.

[VDub26Falcon]

Fausto going tonight for the sweep and the chance to be up on KC by 4.5. Hopefully Seattle can take care of Detroit again, bring them to Cleveland on a losing streak. Sizemore is tearing it up and I hope he continues!

[Redwingtom]

4.5 game lead on KC on April 28th important to you?

Why exactly?

[footballguy51]

4.5 game lead on KC on April 28th important to you?

Why exactly?

This is Cleveland sports. We take what we can get.

[VDub26Falcon]

Because the number is growing instead of a shrinking.

[Redwingtom]

BUT IT'S APRIL 28TH....LOL

[hammb]

Read an article last week that over the past 5 seasons only about 30% of the teams that make the playoffs were in "playoff position" at this point in the season.

Good for the Indians that they're off to a good start, but it really means very little in the grand scheme. They've got a decent lineup, but I really don't feel that they've got a pitching staff that can pitch a team to a 90 win season. 80 would be more than I would expect, but they've overachieved for a month so that's probably within reach at this point.

Time will tell, I suppose...

[Warthog]

Read an article last week that over the past 5 seasons only about 30% of the teams that make the playoffs were in "playoff position" at this point in the season.

Not arguing against that point, but there is probably evidence that teams that start 10-15 in April only have less than a 30% chance to make the playoffs too. Just saying there's a better chance to make the playoffs if a team starts 16-8 than if they start 8-16. So, I'm enjoying it while it lasts and hoping for the best!

[hammb]

Read an article last week that over the past 5 seasons only about 30% of the teams that make the playoffs were in "playoff position" at this point in the season.

Not arguing against that point, but there is probably evidence that teams that start 10-15 in April only have less than a 30% chance to make the playoffs too. Just saying there's a better chance to make the playoffs if a team starts 16-8 than if they start 8-16. So, I'm enjoying it while it lasts and hoping for the best!

Oh yeah, you're definitely right there as well.

You're always better off starting well than you are starting off struggling. No doubt about that. But in the grand scheme of things it's still only 1/6 of a very LONG season.

I actually don't hate the Indians the same way I hate the White Sox & Twins, so any time the Tigers don't win the division I like to see the Indians win it. I just hope the Indians start falling on hard times this very weekend

Actually what I'm trying to figure out is how the Tigers are still hovering around .500 when it really feels like they've been playing TERRIBLY. They've got a lot of guys playing way below expectations right now...if they start to rebound they may be pretty good.

[VDub26Falcon]

Had a blast with VDub26Wife at the game last night, sat next to some KC fans who were happy to be battling for the top spot last week...haha...Heading to the game tonight. Jeanmar Gomez has had some time to think about how he should be pitching. They announced that Alex White will make his Major League Debut tomorrow night so I'm going to that game as well! Gotta love Buy One, Get One coupons!!!

Side Note: Laz Diaz was umping 3rd base last night and I have to say, he is probably the nicest umpire in the league...made sure that 90% of the kids on the 3rd baseline got foul balls, was happy to joke around when he had to spring down the left field line, acting winded and was just very personable.

[tiznow]

With an announced attendance of 9,000, why didn't 100% of the kids get a baseball.